Enjoyed seeing Mrs. Gardener's [Isabella Stewart Gardner?] house last week, with daffodils in bloom. Has returned library books and asked them to keep her card in case she comes back. Came to Boston in pursuit of Mrs. Eddy and likes the city better and better. In New York, feels under siege. Wishes Mr. McClure had come and introduced her last year, but is glad they finally met. Her friendship and Jewett's make the year's work worthwhile. Willa Sibert Cather [Stout #136]
Is honored to have been asked to serve on the nomination committee for the Howells Medal and would enjoy working with the other members of the committee [Ellen Glasgow, Stewart E. White, and Thornton Wilder] but feels too little acquainted with recent fiction to be able to contribute to the task. Has mostly been reading about 13th century France for several years. Willa Cather [Stout #1481]
Thank you for the cigarettes and handkerchiefs, and thanks to Virginia for the colorful pictures. She put them up by her desk for many days before sharing them with mother. Has a beautiful miniature orange tree with nine fruits on it; please tell Virginia. When she is older, will send her some fragile sea shells Isabelle mailed from Florida. Did he see her paltry story in Harper's ["A Gold Slipper," Harper's Monthly Magazine, 134 (January 1917): 166-174]? British War Supplies is laying off people, and is afraid Jack will lose his job. But then, after all, life should not be too easy when one is young. Maybe the fact that he did well enough there will spur him to strive for more success. Has mailed $100 to mother for her trip to Tucson, and will send another $100 on March 1. Is pleased Virginia enjoys the beads; it's nerve wracking to try to select anything for her to wear: remember that hat! She is quite particular about her fashion choices. Wishes Virginia could come to visit her, and she must do so when she is older. Please send condolences to Elsie Stewart about her mother. Will soon send Roscoe and Meta a book they ought to read, and hopes they send her some sage this spring. Willa.
